Homelessness is visible on the streets of our towns and cities. But it is often hidden. Many people do not have a home of their own and stay in temporary accommodation or sleep on someone's sofa. While the causes of homelessness are complex - Government policies, dodgy landlords, a run of bad luck, to name a few - we can proactively work to support people affected, to help them find permanent housing.

There are many organisations and projects to support people experiencing homelessness, but I have chosen to support the Ripon YMCA as it is a small local organisation which provides supported housing for young people where I live.

I will be spending one night out to help raise awareness of homelessness and to start conversations with people about different ways in which they can help.

I am a trustee of the Ripon Museum Trust. The Sleep Easy was due to take place at one of its sites - the Ripon Workhouse Museum. Inside the museum our vagrants cells provoke thoughts about homelessness in Victorian Ripon. Due to the coronavirus pandemic we are now not able to meet together for the Sleep Easy, but some of us are doing it at home. I have chosen to sleep out in a tent in the garden on the night of 28th March 2020. With snow forecasted, it will be chilly!

Please support this excellent cause and donate what you can. Thank you.

If you'd like to read a little more about why I'm doing this to help reduce inequality, please see this blog I wrote for the World Day of Social Justice:

https://martinwebber.net/archives/2437